Guide to UIC: what to know, where to go

In this day and age, there is no studying or writing a paper without wi-fi and a computer. ACCC offers a wide range of services, including campus wi-fi networks, computer labs, software for sale or free, and help by phone, email and walk-in. Services include:

• Instructional Technology Lab, Daley Library and Goldberg Research Center: equipment check-out, support for Blackboard, Google Apps and more

• Instruction in popular software programs and web-related topics through Lynda.com, webinars and short workshops

• U-Print, the campus-wide printing service, offered in all ACCC labs and department locations. Students get a $15 print quota at the beginning of each semester. Funds can be added to the account with Dragon Dollars, purchased in the ID Center, at Student Center East and Student Center West, online, or through cash-to-card machines in SCE, SCW, Daley Library, Thomas Beckham Hall and the Library of Health Sciences.

• New on campus: C-stop, where students can work, print, recharge their electronic devices with secured lockers, and receive help. First floor Behavioral and Sciences Building and 115 Student Center West.

Belonging

• Why not join a club? There’s a long list of student organizations, some for community service or social issues, others organized around common interests like frisbee, anime or Italian. UIC also has fraternities and sororities! For more information, attend the Involvement Fair, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 3, Lecture Center Plaza, or contact UIC Campus Programs.

• UIC is among the nation’s top 50 campuses for the LGBTQ community. Check out the Gender and Sexuality Center, where education, research and outreach on issues of gender identity and sexual orientation are offered through events and workshops. There’s also consultation available for students and employees. 1180 Behavioral Sciences Building. 312-413-8619

• Women’s Leadership and Resource Center offers space for women to host small meetings. Staff assist with topics such as sexual harassment and gender issues on campus. The center sponsors an annual women’s leader­ship program and a production of “The Vagina Monologues.” 802 University Hall. 312-413-1025

Child care

College is for everyone, even the young ones. There’s fully accredited, full-time early childhood education for children of faculty, staff and students, ages anywhere between 2 years, 9 months to 6 years.

The center serves the 85 percent of UIC students who commute to campus. Inside the Wellness Center behind the Inner Circle food court, it has quiet study space, social lounge, public computers and printers, kitchen and lockers. Staff can pro­vide information on transportation, off-campus housing and other resources.

All students and new employees must visit the ID Cen­ter to get their i-card — the official UIC identification card.

• Dragon Dollars lets students use their i-card as a debit card at campus dining halls, convenience stores and fast-food restaurants.

• Incoming students can pick up their U-Pass, good for unlimited rides on CTA buses and trains, at the ID Cen­ter or during distribution. The pass is valid for five years. All full-time students are assessed a $140 CTA U-Pass fee for fall semester. But watch out! If you lose your U-Pass, it costs $50 to get a new one.

Job services

• College life can be expensive. Student Employment Office helps students find part-time jobs on and off campus to help ease the expenses. 2100 Student Services Build­ing, 312-996-3130

There are two libraries on the Chicago campus — the Daley Library on the east campus and Health Sciences Library at the Medical Center — and libraries at the health sciences campuses in Peoria, Rockford and Urbana. All kinds of information and databases are accessible online. Get help from real, live librarians face-to-face or through live chat.

Check out this popular learning and collaboration space on the first floor of the Daley Library, with meeting spaces, a per­formance area, moveable furniture and more than 100 computers, as wella s the Instructional Technology Lab/Student Media Lab. Open continuously Sun 10 a.m. through Fri 7 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Maps

Grab an old-school paper map at Building Management in Student Centers East and West, or the Information and Service Center in the Student Services Building. Trying to save paper? Check out the great new online map.

Homework load, deadlines and studying can make school days seem like a dry desert. Thankfully, UIC has about 40 oases — informal spots where students can hang out, study or work with friends.

The Office of Campus Learning Environ­ments creates the oases with new, comfortable furniture and the latest multimedia technologies. Oases in the second- and third-floor hallways in Lincoln Hall have TeamSpot, which lets students wirelessly collaborate on a single document or project while they each use their own computers.

Zumba, swimming, massage therapy, oh my! UIC has recreation facilities on the east and west sides of campus that offer everything from intramural sports to personal training, as well as an outdoor field complex and outdoor recreation courts for tennis, sand volleyball, basketball and jogging.

• Red Car Service is a transportation service for employees and students within designated area, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. seven days a week including holidays. UIC i-card required. 312-996-6800

• Emergency notification through UIC’s emer­gency system includes 140 audible alerts, the UIC website, official campus email and social media, UIC Hotline (312-413-9696) and the SMS text messaging system.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to register for emergency text messages. Registration is free and subscribers can sign up for several phones, so students can register their par­ents’ phones to receive the alerts.

Social media

You can find many UIC offices and or­ganizations on popular social media sites. A good place to start:

Fire up Flames! UIC has NCAA Division 1 teams in a long list of men’s and women’s sports, including basketball, soccer, baseball, golf, tennis, gymnastics, swimming and softball, plus two fan groups: the Fury and Ring of Fire. And don’t forget to follow UIC’s new women’s soccer team!

UIC is working for a greener world through recycling, improved transportation and energy efficiency. We’re recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus! Learn more — volunteers welcome — from the Office of Sustainability.

• CTA L Trains have three stops near campus — Blue Line stops at UIC-Halsted and Racine, and a Pink Line stop at Polk — as well as bus routes

• Intracampus Bus Service provides free transportation for students, faculty and staff around campus. The routes include UIC Intracampus Route, the UIC East Side Route and the Semester Express. Don’t forget to bring your i-card!

• Biking:With stations all around campus, Divvy Bikes are a great way to get around. Discounts are available for the UIC community.